Knockdown wall fixture



l atentecl June 4, 1935 UNlTED sTA'frss KNOCKD OWN H WALL FIXTURE Marriott T.[Johnston,Chicago, 111., assignor to Walgreen '60., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application: may 5, 1932, Serial No. 609,532

9 Claims.

This invention relates to fixtures and more par: ticularly to sectional wall structures oi the shelf type, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the. provision of co-mplemental sections capable of ready association and disassociation to provide a wall fixture of variable dimensions and extent. Wall attached shelves and otherfixtures are generally employed as necessary equipment in retail merchandising stores. Varied -merchandise is handled in retail enterprises and suitable facilities for their ready accessible storage must be provided. .Known Wall fixtures have not prov-en entirely satisfactory from the installation and removal standpoint, since these are usually built to meet the special requirements of particular stores for permanent attachment to the walls thereof. Stores vary in size and layouts so that it proves very difilcult to adapt a standard wall-shelf structure for different situations and stores owing to the great variation in the dimensional extent and reouirementsoi different types of merchandise. Special wall-shelves and cabinets are exceedingly expensive, andprove more or less valueless should there be a necessity for dismantling or efiecting the removal thereof for use in other stores, situations or locations, requiring fixtures of difierent dimensional extent and characteristics.

This has. proven very expensive "in chain store operations, since there'is. often a requirement for changing location or stores so that the removal of fixtures from one for utilization in another would be possible and involvenothing other than nominal moving and installation expense. Then, too, the cost of standard units manufactured on a production basis is considerably less than building wall fixtures of special design and dimensional extent for different situations. Standardization in wall fixtures to enable interchangeability and the extension thereof by duplication of units or addition of similar units for end-alignment is or substantial significance and importance to economically meet modern-commercial requirements in retail stores.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the usefulness of fixtures of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide novel sectional wall-shelf units capable of ready assembly into fixtures of varying size and dimensional extent.

Still another object is to provide novel, simple and inexpensive means for maintaining complemental elements in assembled relation to define wall'sheli units of variable extent.

A further object is to provide standard shelf units of novel construction entailing minimum installation and dismantling expense.

A still further object is to provide c'omple mental wall-shelf elements capable of ready asand dismantling to enable the use thereof for different situations and store locations to meet varying requirements from time to time.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a front View in elevation ofa fixture embodying features of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing. I

Figure '2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line II-II of Figure -1..

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line TEL-III of Figure 1, it being shown with abreak therebetween to represent the intermediate portion not capable of convenient showingin the drawings. Figure 4 is a view taken substantially along line IVIV of Figure 3. I

Figure 5 is a view taken substantially along line V-V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of Figures 2 and 3.v

' Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along line VIIL-VIII of Figure 1.

V Figure 9 is a perspective'view of a wall bracket utilized to detachably join the fixture to a'vertical surface against accidental movement relative thereto. 1

The structure selected for illustration comprises a plurality of vertical members 10 preferably though not essentially constructed from Wood to present upstanding shelf-supports. ;The vertical supports H3 are substantially of rectangular configuration and sized to correspond with.

the height and depth of the desired fixture structure. This may vary within a wide range, and depends entirely upon the dictates of commercial practice and the requirements of any particular enterprise. In fact, the vertical supports it may be composed of a plurality of segmental unitsof multitudinal depth so as to en-v comprises, in this instance, a U-shaped plate M which is sized to telescopically receive the lower edge region I5 of the vertical supports l8. Suitable screw fasteners 16 project through the sides of the plate [4 for effecting the attachment thereof to the vertical supports. In the present embodiment, the top region I"! of the vertical supports ii! are also provided with edge engaging plates E 8 corresponding in size and configuration with the lower edge plate 14. 'F'asteners I9 ex tend through the sides thereof for attachment to the top edge region H, thereby serving as a reinforced metallic edge thereof. Rivets 28 project through apertures formed in the edge of the plate members l4 and i8, and the button heads 2| thereof project in cavities 22 provided in the body of the supports [8 through the end regions l5 and II thereof to freely accommodate the 'rivet heads 2!. Dished washers 23 are axially apertured for telescopic reception by the rivets 2 0, and these are normally urged in the direction of the head 31 by virtue of spiral springs 24 which envelope the rivets 28. The springs 24 abut against a washer 25 which is retained upon the rivet shank 25 by swaging the extremity.

thereof into a deformed flat projection 23 which extends beyond the apertures of the washer 25 to serve as a retaining member therefor. In consequence thereof, the dished washer 23 will be normally urged in the direction of the buttonhead 2i, and such serves to effect the ready attachment and detachment of the vertical supports ii! to adjacent surfaces which have complemental engaging means which are permanently set and for that reason do not require any adjustment, manipulation, tightening or loosening to effect assembly or dismantling. The adjacent surfaces adap-ted for contact with the supports I3, are provided with flat plate members 2'! having keyhole-shaped apertures 28 provided therein to accommodate the dished washer 23 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The larger portion 29 of the aperture 28 accommodates the dished washer 23, and this merges in a smaller portion which is only large enough to accommodate the rivet shank 20. In consequence thereof, the dished washer 23 is axially projected through the larger portion 29 of the keyhole-shaped apertures 28 and thence displaced toward the smaller portion 30 thereof to effect the retention by contact of the dished washer 23 with the side thereof obverse from the side of original entry. It is apparent, therefore, that a connection is established against the edge of the spring 24 which establishes sufficient frictional engagement with the contacting surfaces to preclude accidental removal by displacement in a direction opposite to that just described.

The plate 21 is attached to the top surface I 3 of the base H in a direct transverse line thereto so to effect the detachable joinder of the vertical support I 0 therewith. Any number of attaching expedients, in this instance two, are provided in the plate members 21, and these are provided with corner apertures 3| therein for receiving screw fasteners to effect their permanent attachment. Thebase member H is provided with suitable notches or cavities 32 in communication with the keyhole-shaped apertures 28 provided inthe plates 21 so as to'afford the entry of the fastener 20 with their auxiliary elements 23 thereon. A plate 34 apertured and shaped similarly to the plate 27 is provided on the bottom surface of a top member 35 which rests on the vertical SF )orts H1. The top member 35 has a plate 34 attached thereto by narrow fastener screws projecting through the apertures 36 therein, and the position of the keyholeshaped apertures 31 thereof extends in a direction directly opposite to the apertures 28 in the bottom plates 21 which are in confronting alignment therewith. Consequently, the vertical supports [0 are first caused to register with the apertures 28 in the lower plate 21 displacement relative thereto to effect the detachable engagement therewith against the urge of the spring 24, and thereupon the top member 35 is shifted to itsoperative position for registry with the aperture 31 in the top plate 34. This enables the substitution of any of the vertical supports H) by simply removing the top members 35 from assembled position. The top members 35 have a suitable cavity 38 provided therein for communication with the apertures 31 in the plate 34, thereby accommodating the rivet 20 with its attaching expedient 23 for lodgement therein to eifect the detachable joinder therewith.

In order that any number of vertical supports l0 may be provided for predetermined spaced relation in parallelism, the base I I and top members 35 are sectional for affording end-alignment of any number of multiple sections. To this end, the top member 35 is chambered as at 39 similarly to the chamber I2 provided in the base H so as to define adjacent walls 40 which are sufficiently restricted in dimensional thickness to afford the projection of a carriage bolt 4! therebetween to effect their detachable connection. The carriage bolts 4| are accessible through the open bottoms and tops 42 of the base members H and 35, respectively. The wall fixture may, therefore, be extended for any desired distance by the end-alignment of multiple sections to'meet the requirements of any particular installation. It is worthy of note that when the cavities 32 and 38 of both the bottom and top members H and 35, serve to afford attachment of a vertical member ID that comprises a part of adjacent sections or units, one half of the cavities 32 and 38 are formedin the adjacent ends of the bottom and top members H and 35 with their plates 13 and 34 attached thereover.

Now, then, a plurality of horizontal shelves 43 are extended between the vertical supports ID which serve as partition members, and the shelves 43 are supported by means of brackets or other suitable expedients such as strips of wood 45 disposed in horizontal alignment for attachment to the confronting walls of the vertical supports or partition members H] by means of screw fasteners 46. Any number of shelves 43 may be disposed between the vertical supports I8, and this depends largely upon the extent thereof and the desired spacing to meet the requirements of any particular merchandise or as commercial practice may dictate more practical for universal requirements. The shelves 43 correspond in depth with the vertical supports I 0, and these rest upon the strips 45 which serve as a shoulder support.

The shelves 43 are retained against accidental forward removal by means of facing strips 4! which are detachably secured'to the front edges of the vertical supports 10.. To this end, the facing strips 41 are provided with plates 43 attached to the surface thereof by means of suitable fasteners 49. The plates 48 have normally projecting clips 50 formed thereon to present a depending tongue 5| adapted to engage a plate 52 anchored to the adjacent surface of the vertical supports ID by means of fasteners 53. It

attache afford the removal thereof through the slot '54,

thereby allowing the disengagement of the facing strips 41 from the forward edges of the partitions or vertical supports ID. The forward edges of the vertical supports l6 are provided with cavities 55 in the region of the slot 54 for communication therewith so as to accommodate and receive the clip with its tongue 5| therein. Any number of interengaging plates 48 and 52 may be provided along the forward edges of the vertical supports l0, and the facing strips 41 are sufficiently wide to project beyond the forward edges of the vertical supports H) to retain the shelves 43 against displacement in the direction thereof.

The vertical facing or finishing strips 41 may be interrupted in length so as to afford the provision of one or more horizontal ledges 56 projecting beyond the forward limits thereof .to serve as a rest for additional commodities or equipment as may be desired or required in .any particular enterprise. The ledge .56 constitutes an extension of any selected shelf 43 positioned at a convenient elevation from the base H for general accessibility, there being a complemental joint .51 formed on the adjacent edges of the shelves 43 which is in alignment with the ledge 56 to assist in the support thereof. Corner brackets 58 formed from wood or other material are disposed beneath the ledge 56 in alignment with the vertical supports In for attachment thereto and the under side of the ledge 56 by means of suitable fasteners 59, thereby-effectively supporting the ledge 55 along the entire extent'thereof, it corresponding in length to the base II and top member 35. The facing or finishing strips 4'! disposed beneath the ledge 56 are preferably provided with a notch v6|! toaccommodate the ledge supporting blocks 58; and it is apparent that the finishing strips 41 serve to conceal the shelf supporting strips 45 from view. The entire units or'assembled structure is detachably connected to the wall 6| of a store by means of plates 62 which have confronting tangs 63 stamped therefrom to assume a normal parallel position at spaced intervals corresponding and in registry with the vertical supports H). The tangs 63 are preferably though not essentially stamped from wall securing plates 62 and the top thereof is commensurate with the width of the vertical supports It to receive the rearward edges thereof. The tangs 83 are provided with apertures 64 so that screw fasteners may be projected therethrough for anchoring attachment to the lateral walls of the vertical supports I0. In consequence thereof, the entire structure is fastened to the wall through the medium of the plates 62 which have apertures 65 provided therethrough .at spaced intervals to effect the. attachment thereof to the wall 6|. Any number of wall strips 62 may be employed, but in the present embodiment there are two in vertical spaced relation intermediate the base and top 35. 7

It is to be noted that the shelves 43 may be removed in any particular section of the structure, and a closed cabinet 66 provided in a section defined by confronting vertical supports and the 'horizontallsurfacesdetermined by the base and/or top member 35 in conjunction with any particular, shelf 43 which may serve as a supporttherefor. The cabinet 66 is a self-contained unit and sized in this particular embodiment to utilize the section defined between two vertical supports I 0, the bottoms of the topmember 35, and the shelf 43 which is in alignment with the ledge 56. Any additional self-contained units may be substituted for-the'shelves 43, and these may vary within a wide range depending upon the individual requirements of particular merchandising enterprises. For instance, cigarettes are better stored in closed cabinets 66 preferably provided with transparent doors 6'! to keep such commodity-within public View.

With the arrangement of parts above described,

it is apparent that a wall-shelf structure of variable size has been provided merely by substituting or end-aligning multiple units. These may be assembled to meet the requirements of any particular dimensional area or store, thereby availing the use of the same units for different stores should it be necessary to change locations or expand to meet enlarged requirements from time to time. The production of standard component elements and/or units of the character described is far less expensive than the cost of specially constructed fixtures, and the assembly thereof entails farless time and labor. This coupled by the fact that fixtures of this type may be readily dismantled for further use in different stores renders such especially advantageous for commercial enterprises.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in members, the end'vertical support members be ing attached to said top and bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable the association of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, and inter-errgaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof asa rigid unit.

2. In'a'sectional wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members, top and bottom members detachably applied to the extremities of said vertical members, sustaining means for shelf members on said vertical support members, horizontal shelf members removably supported by said sustaining means between said vertical members, permanently setinter-engaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top andbottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said top and. bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable theassociation of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, vertic'alfinishing strips applied to the exposededges of said support membersandpere manently setfas'teners on said finishing strips for establishing detachable connection to the exposed edges of said vertical supports.

3. In a sectional'wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members, top and bottom members detachably applied to the extremities of said vertical members, sustaining means for shelf members on said vertical support members,

horizontal shelf members removably supported by said. sustaining means between said vertical members, permanently set inter-engaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with saidtop and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said top and bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable the association of wall'fixture sections without vertical member duplication, vertical finishing strips, permanently set fasteners detachably connecting said finishing strips to the exposed edges of said vertical supports, and wall-strip engaging brackets detachably secured to said vertical supports. 1 4. In a wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members, top and bottom members detachably applied to the extremities of said vertical members, sustaining means for shelf members on said vertical support members, horizontal shelf members removably supported by said sustaining means between said vertical members, permanently set spring actuated inter-engaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said top and bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable the association of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, finishing strips, permanently set co-operating means on said finis'ning strips and vertical supports effecting detachable connection to the exposed edges of said vertical supports, wall strip engaging brackets detachably secured to said vertical supports, said top and bottom members being chambered, and means extending between said chambered members for detachably securing similar assembled units in end alignment.

5. In a wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members, top and bottom members detachably applied to the extremities of said vertical members, and inter-engaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, said interengaging means comprising plates having keyhole apertures therein attached to one of said members, and'spring urged fasteners anchored in concealed association with the other of said members to project therefrom for adjustable registry with the apertures of said plates.

6. In a wall fixture, the combination with ver tical support members, top and bottom members detachably applied to the extremities of said vertical members, brackets attached to the side walls of said vertical supports for supporting shelves thereon, horizontal shelf members removably supported between said vertical members, permanently set inter-engaging means detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as 'a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said ports. I

top and'bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable the association of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, and vertical finishing strips having fasteners thereon for detachable connection to said vertical support members.

'7. In a wall fixture, the combination with vertical supportmembers, top and bottom members bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable'the association of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, vertical finishing strips detachably connected'to the exposed edges of said vertical supports, and permanently set inter-engaging means on said, strips and adjacent vertical support members to enable their detachable engagement.

8. In a wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members,'top and bottom members normally secured to the extremities of said vertical members sustaining means for horizontal shelf members on said vertical support members, horizontal shelf members reinovably supported by said sustaining means between said vertical members, permanently set inter-engaging means for detachably connecting said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said top and bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the' edges of the latter to enable the association of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, vertical finishing strips detachably connected to the exposed edges of said 'vertical'supports, and concealed interengaging means on said strips and adjacent vertical support members to enable their detachable engagement, said last named inter-engaging means comprising an apertured plate, and a tonguefor removable registry with said plate aperture. In a wall fixture, the combination with vertical support members, top and bottom members normally secured to the extremities of said vertical members, brackets attached to the side walls ofsaid vertical supports for receiving shelves thereon, horizontal shelf members removably supported between said vertical members, permanently set inter-engaging means for detachably connecting 7 said vertical support members with said top and bottom members to retain the assembly thereof as a rigid unit, the end vertical support members being attached to said topand bottom members so that the vertical median line of the former are in alignment with the edges of the latter to enable the asso- ,tion of wall fixture sections without vertical member duplication, and vertical finishing strips having fastening means for detachable connection to the exposed edges of said vertical sup- VMARRIOT'IT rr, JOHNSTON. 

